This holiday season, the American Red Cross is reminding the public that the need for blood doesn’t pause. While many are celebrating the holidays with family and friends, patients in hospitals are still relying on blood products.

Donations tend to decline during December, especially around the holidays. The following donation opportunities in Huntington County are:

The Upper Wabash Interpretive Servic es staff presents “Can I Stump You?” during its Second Saturday program on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Salamonie Interpretive Center.

Participants can learn how deciduous trees stay alive in winter, enjoy a hike, make several holiday crafts, taste maple syrup at a pancake lunch, watch a movie and more. Some activities fulfill requirements for Tiger Scouts, Stories in Shapes.

Huntington Catholic School students who have displayed the Christ-like spirit of gratitude were recognized following the all-school liturgy on Dec. 2 at St. Mary Catholic Church. They are (front, from left) Elin Mickley, kindergarten; Steven Ball, first grade; Zariah Tinoco, second grade; and Alexandra Craig, third grade; and (back, from left) Kaitlynn Fowerbaugh, fourth grade; Steven Holzinger, fifth and sixth grades; Chelsea Swada, seventh grade; and Tony Clor, eighth grade.

Huntington Catholic School students who have displayed the Christ-like spirit of generosity were recognized following the all-school liturgy on Dec. 2 at St. Mary Catholic Church. They are (front, from left) Jacoby Thornton, first grade; Karlie Holzinger, second grade; and Karsen Bischoff, third grade; and (back, from left) Kylie Nevius, fourth grade; Joe Bowers, fifth and sixth grades; Evan Linker, seventh grade; and Taylor Reeves, eighth grade. Not pictured is Emylia Shideler, kindergarten.

Emmalee Otto, 4, of Andrews, helps her mom, Kari Otto, build a Christmas-themed fairy house Saturday, Dec. 3, at a workshop held at the Andrews-Dallas Township Public Library. Earlier, Emmalee’s dad helped her make one of her own.

The public can harvest firewood by permit from already felled trees in designated areas at Mississinewa Lake’s Pearson’s Mill State Recreation area through Dec. 31.

The firewood program will help the park remove the high number of trees affected by past flooding, natural causes and the emerald ash borer that are in areas along roads and trails. The park cannot adequately remove all dead trees on its own.

Only trees that have been felled already by park staff will be permitted to be taken.

Creative Abilities Art Studio, a part of the Pathfinder Community Supports Day Services program, is hosting a holiday open house and shopping event on Friday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Unique, hand-made pieces of art will be available to purchase during the open house with cash, check or charge.

Items for sale include various sizes of acrylic and watercolor paintings, jewelry, home décor, quilts, decorative birdhouses, memo boards, wreaths, Christmas ornaments and décor and more.

Jessica Castle, a sophomore art education major at Huntington University, is a recipient of a 2016 “Realizing the Dream” award.

The awards were presented to 31 first-generation students attending independent colleges and universities in Indiana. The honor recognizes sophomores selected by their colleges for outstanding achievement during their freshman year.

Huntington University’s online programs have been ranked third in Indiana by AffordableCollegesOn line.org.

The website based its rankings on academic rigor, student support and affordability for online learning. Financial aid and student-teacher ratios were also considered.

The website analyzed information for all accredited public and not-for-profit institutions in the United States that offer at least three online bachelor degree programs and have an annual tuition fee of less than $25,000.

Hanna Surfus (front, center) is surrounded by (from left) Maggi Hall, Izzy Harlan, Emma Grace Mounsey, Ellie Stephenson and Elizabeth Shape as they work together to create the caterpillar in Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland Jr.,” now being performed at the Pulse Opera House in downtown Warren. Shows take place this Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9 and 10, at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m. For reservations, visit www.pulseoperahouse.org or leave a message at 375-7017.

The students in the Whole Notes class, taught by Denise Gilliland (left), sound out the rhythm on flash cards as part of their introduction to music and singing on Monday, Nov. 21, at the Heritage of Huntington. During the final class of the year, the children performed what they had learned for their parents and families and led them in a sing-along. Pictured (from left to right) are Madi Riggers, Katy Clampitt (back to camera), Caitlyn Bowers, Braden Johnston, Lilly Ayres and Kasen Johnston.

McKenzie’s Hope was recently chosen as the Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling charity of the month, receiving toys, office supplies and a check in the amount of $338.71.

Items included in the donation were copy paper, trash bags, hand sanitizer, pens and markers, as well as Hot Wheels cars and Play-Doh. These items help McKenzie’s Hope provide comfortable activities for children while at the center.

Cops and kids and Christmas have become a mission for Sheriff Terry Stoffel.

This year, for the 17th year, Stoffel is organizing Shop with a Cop.

Some 40 youngsters, and maybe up to 50, will go shopping at Walmart the evening of Dec. 19, accompanied by a like number of law enforcement officers — county and city officers, town marshals, Indiana State Police troopers, conservation officers and anyone else who wants to join in.

The 40 to 50 kids who will go shopping with a cop this Christmas has grown from just six or seven kids the first year, Stoffel says.